Thursday, August 18, 2011

ONE DEBUT AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE

Shared by ITW Debut Author :: Grace GreeneFirst, a disclaimer:I'm a big fan of ITW and the Debut Author Program and definitely benefitted from it.

Second, a helpful hint: Never underestimate the value of a friend or the help of kind people.

Third, some good advice: Learn what you can where you can - AKA - avail yourself of opportunities.

My debut release is Beach Rental. It came out in July. Every new author will tell you they need help figuring out how to navigate the release world.Certainly, I did, and ITW offered me some concrete options from which to choose:The Thrill Begins Blog, The ITW Debut Authors Mentor Forum, an interview or feature story, Roundtable Discussions, Book Giveaways, and monthly communications–the BIG THRILL Webzine, the ITW Bulletin with Promo Ops, and the ITW Members Bulletin with News and Updates.

Thanks, ITW.

My friend and critique partner, Nancy Naigle (author of Sweet Tea and Secrets, and co-author of InkBLOT) also had her book debut in 2011 and she introduced me to the ITW Debut Authors Program. I joined, but mixed some things up (as usual) and the wonderful Al Leverone (debut author membership coordinator and debut author of Final Vector ) got my membership all straightened out and Carla Buckley (debut author of The Things That Keep Us Here) got me added to the discussion forum and Lynn Sheene (debut author of The Last Time I Saw Paris) got me on the Mentors Forum. Others helped me, too–so many helping hands that I'm sure I've missed some. These volunteers are authors and they give their time in a world where no one has any extra.

I tried to keep up with tasks related to the release of Beach Rental, but I was busy with editing, blogging and so on and quickly feeling buried by the demands of writing and marketing. Nancy gave me the kick in the britches when, overwhelmed, I almost didn't follow up with ITW about the author interview.

Thanks, Nancy.

For the ITW Debut interview, Janice Bashman (managing editor of The Big Thrill and co-author of Wanted Undead or Alive) offered me the choice of an actual interview or an interview crafted from the information I'd already submitted on the book submission form about me and my book.How easy was that? In the midst of trying to juggle all of the elements, I opted for the second choice–and it was wonderful!

Educational and marketing opportunities–and another interesting benefit of my membership in ITW and participation in the Debut Author Program, is that a large percentage of the visitors to my author website come there from the ITW website. Take it from me, an often overwhelmed debut author, ITW and the Debut Authors Program–I've already received a lot and I'm still learning and benefitting. Thank you, ITW and the Debut Authors Program, and all of the splendid people who'vemade my journey a little easier.

About the Author:

Grace Greene writes fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration, always with a strong heroine at its heart. Vivid settings and quirky secondary characters round out the stories and there’s a happily-ever-after-ending—most of the time. Grace is also an artist and photographer. She is drawn to houses and landscapes that ooze character and is fascinated by history and human nature. When she’s writing, all of these interests show up on the page.

Beach Rental is her debut release. Her next novel, Kincaid's Hope, is scheduled for release in January 2012. In Kincaid's Hope, Beth Kincaid finds that swearing off the Kincaid temper and creating the perfect life free from untidy emotionalism has its own dangers and can even get you killed.

A Virginia native, Grace lives in central Virginia. Stay current with Grace’s releases and appearances at www.GraceGreeneAuthor.com

Beach Rental Blurb:

On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, in the small town of Emerald Isle…

Juli Cooke, hard-working and getting nowhere fast, marries a dying man, Ben Bradshaw, for a financial settlement, not expecting he will set her on a journey of hope and love. The journey brings her to Luke Winters, a local art dealer, but Luke resents the woman who married his sick friend and warns her not to hurt Ben—and he’s watching to make sure she doesn’t.

Until Ben dies and the stakes change.

Framed by the timelessness of the Atlantic Ocean and the brilliant blue of the beach sky, Juli struggles against her past, the opposition of Ben’s and Luke’s families, and even the living reminder of her marriage—to build a future with hope and perhaps to find the love of her life—if she can survive the danger from her past.

Grace, what wonderful reasons you delineate for this terrific writers organization! I still remember Carla's invitation to join--Carla was the very first person to spot the Pub Lunch announcement of my sale--as one of the high points in the whirlwind that's followed ever since. I wish you the best of luck with your release and hope you continue to be involved with ITW all along the way. Thanks for the post.

Hi, All - Looks like we're mostly Debut Authors and so you are having your own experiences (good and bad) and if your book isn't out yet, you should know that roller coaster ride will continue. Rejoice in the ride - many others will have tried to write that first novel, then tried for publication, but you DID it! Remember, enjoy the good and always keep moving forward with the next story.

ITW Debut Authors Committee

Interested in Becoming an ITW Debut Author?

If you're an ITW Author Member (not an Associate Member) with a debut* novel publication date of July 2012 or later whose second book has not yet been released, contact Wendy Tyson for information on how to become an ITW Debut Author member.

* In order to qualify as a debut novel for the purpose of this program, the work must be the author's first published novel under any name, in any genre, in any country, and by any publisher (including self-published).